Everything you need to know about the new Apple AirPods Max 2
Here's what's changed – and what hasn't
ON THE HEELS of Apple’s recent deluge of new tech, from the iPhone 17e to the MacBook Neo, the Cupertino-based tech giant isn’t done yet. In a surprise launch announced just last week, new AirPods Max 2 headphones (successors to the first-generation over-ear headphones) have been available for preorder since March 25, with shipments starting in April.
If you, like my colleague, thought the AirPods Max 2 launched in 2024, let me explain: That wasn’t a next-generation update; it was a minor refresh that swapped the proprietary Lightning port for USB-C.
Thanks to the new H2 chip, however, these second-gen over-ear cans have a slew of new features similar to the AirPods Pro 3. But if you were hoping for a different design perhaps lighter with looser clamp force – you’re not getting it with the AirPods Max 2. Keep reading for what’s new and what’s exactly the same.
Apple AirPods Max 2
Improved ANC
Packed with a new H2 chip, the second-generation AirPods Max reportedly have stronger active noise cancellation. Apple claims that it’s up to 1.5 times as effective as the original AirPods Max, adding that the new model reduces even more noise, including the cacophony of commuter trains and airplane engines.
In my experience, the OG AirPods Max are excellent at suppressing predictable, low-frequency noise, like the steady drone of an air conditioner. However, they can’t completely silence louder, less predictable sounds like loud, animated conversations or a crying baby. Based on Apple’s specs, I doubt the AirPods Max 2 will magically erase boisterous toddler noise, but they should do a better job cutting through those steady, low-frequency rumbles.
Transparency mode, which lets outside sound pass through so you can hear what’s happening around you (without removing the headphones), also got an upgrade, with Apple claiming it now sounds more natural.
You can also now take advantage of Adaptive Audio, which automatically adjusts the balance between noise cancellation and transparency, depending on your surroundings.
Live Translation
The AirPods Pro 3’s Live Translation feature is coming to the AirPods Max 2. I’ve tested it on the AirPods Pro 3, and I was taken aback at how accurately and rapidly they translated my French-speaking father in real time. Esquire’s commerce director Krista Jones also gave the AirPods Pro 3’s Live Translation perk two thumbs up in her review.
Other new features that were adopted from the Pro lineup include Conversation Awareness, which lowers your audio when you start speaking; Voice Isolation, which prioritizes your voice while reducing background noise during calls; Personalized Volume, which automatically adjusts listening levels based on your habits; and Loud Sound Reduction, which is designed to protect your hearing by softening loud environmental sounds.
Also similar to the AirPods Pro 3, you can use gestures to respond to Siri notifications and announcements by nodding or shaking your head. For example, if you don’t want to accept a call from your yappy aunt, you can simply shake your head no.
Improved Sound Quality
If you’ve been wondering about improvements to the sound quality (which is already heavenly, in my opinion), the AirPods Max 2 reportedly have cleaner audio, thanks to a new high-dynamic-range amplifier.
Apple also claims that its Spatial Audio feature now offers better “improved localization of instruments,” which basically means you’ll get a clearer sense of where each instrument sits within the track.
The Cupertino-based tech giant also says the AirPods Max 2 now have more accurate bass response, as well as more natural mids and highs. We’ll have to see about that when we review it.
As a cherry on top, the AirPods Max 2 now support lossless audio, but only when connected via a USB-C cable. With this feature, you’ll get higher-fidelity playback for music, movies, games, and more.
If you’re a podcaster, it’s worth noting that the AirPods Max 2 now have “studio-quality audio recording,” according to Apple. In other words, these new cans now reportedly capture voices with richer texture and greater clarity.
New Camera Remote
The digital crown was once used just for basic playback controls like adjusting volume, skipping tracks, and pausing music. Now, on the AirPods Max 2, it doubles as a camera remote. All you need to do is press the crown to take a photo or start and stop video recording in the Camera app via your iPhone or iPad.
New Colour Palette
The second-gen AirPods Max come in blue, purple, midnight, starlight, and orange.
The original AirPods Max, on the other hand, come in the following colorways: space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink.
What’s The Same
The AirPods Max 2 have the same build as the original AirPods Max, so don’t expect any design changes. And interestingly, the pricing hasn’t changed from the original AirPods Max, either. As with the OG AirPods Max that launched in 2020, the AirPods Max 2 are priced at $999.
Who Should Order the AirPods Max 2?
The new AirPods are worth grabbing if you’ve always loved the feature set on the AirPods Pro lineup but wished you could experience it in an over-ear design. They’re also a strong pick if you’re already deep in Apple’s ecosystem and want seamless device switching, hands-free Siri interactions, and features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness baked into a premium listening experience.
On the flip side, if you already own the original AirPods Max and don’t care much about the new H2-powered features, this likely isn’t an urgent upgrade. And if you’re hoping for a lighter design or improved comfort, you may want to sit this one out.
TL;DR: If you’ve been waiting for Apple to finally bring its smartest audio features to its most luxurious headphones, get the AirPods Max 2. As a tech expert who tests headphones for a living, judging by the specs alone, they have the potential to land on our list of best headphones of 2026 imminently.
This article first appeared on Esquire US
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